Question about Stepdeck with air controls

Discussion in 'Flatbed Trucking Forum' started by Lohse, Nov 1, 2022.

  1. Lohse

    Lohse Bobtail Member

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    I have this 53ft step deck that had air controls, photo below.

    What it does is self explanatory but I don't know when I should use these. Right now I'm dead heading so I've left it on the left position (in the pic it's to the right because I was playing with it). The bags aren't completely deflated but don't have hardly any pressure. The right position pumps them up fully and the deck raises about 6 inches.

    Am I supposed to be driving with this up or down? I am not sure what they mean by normal/highway



    PXL_20221102_011502951.jpg
     
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  3. PSM379

    PSM379 Heavy Load Member

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    Top right should be normal/highway while driving, that big lever looks like a possible over inflate or ride height adjustment valve. Raise/lower on top right position opens the valve so then you can adjust it with that lever.
     
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  4. pavrom

    pavrom Road Train Member

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    ... Probably to slide axle
     
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  5. lester

    lester Midwest's #1 Feed Hauler

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    To the left is normal operation. Leave it there 99.9% of the time. To the right you can use the lever and pressure gauge to raise or lower pressure/deck height. I've no actual experience with that setup but with the limited information I'd guess I'm right
     
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  6. singlescrewshaker

    singlescrewshaker Road Train Member

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    Flip the top valve to raise/lower.
    Pull the lever to overinflate to get up to dock height if loading from one.

    Or exhaust/dump all air to get a better loading angle when using a ramp kit.

    Or dump while driving a heavy machine off the tail so you don't tear up the rubber dock bumpers on the tail.. ask me how I know that one? :rolleyes:

    Leave the big lever in the position that dumped the bags. Turn valve to normal/highway for all driving.

    Only overinflate while moving really slow if you get hung up on the ground..

    It is not a manual ride height control..
     
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  7. kylefitzy

    kylefitzy Road Train Member

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    Think of the right switch as an on off switch of the manual control valve. Highway is off and normal. Raise lower is on and you can raise and lower the suspension with the manual valve. The manual valve probably does nothing with the other valve in normal.
     
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  8. singlescrewshaker

    singlescrewshaker Road Train Member

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    That is correct, at least on my doonan..
     
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  9. Lohse

    Lohse Bobtail Member

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    Thanks y'all I appreciate it <3
     
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